At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Womenswear Knitwear department, driving product strategy and team collaboration.
- Company: Join Marks & Spencer, a forward-thinking retailer transforming the shopping experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop talent and drive success in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of an inclusive team shaping the future of fashion retail.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Senior Buyer in fast-paced fashion, with a passion for knitwear.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
From Merchandising and Marketing - Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning - our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time. As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results‑orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey.
An exciting opportunity to manage the Knitwear department leading a large team ranging from Junior Buyer to BAA. We are looking for an experienced Senior Buyer who loves product, has experience working in a fast‑paced trading business and has a strong understanding of the Knitwear market to lead our second biggest department in Womenswear. Working at M&S means being part of something bigger – helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast‑moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third‑party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal
- Market‑leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you
Your key accountabilities will include:
- Promote & drive a clear understanding of M&S’ womenswear customer, ensuring the segments and demographics needs are understood and put at the heart of the product offer.
- Work with Design to interpret and adapt to market trends and direction, ensuring that the conceptual range developed is differentiating and targeted to the needs of the customer, driving a digital mind‑set through clear leadership on the online product strategy.
- Analyse historical sales in line with trends and design direction to manage product mix parameters.
- Work closely with other buyers and technical, design, merchandising, marketing, channel teams inc International to review, influence and cohesively deliver both the global product strategy and ranges throughout the Buying process.
- Lead a trading culture across all levels; spotting opportunities, chasing into new products and working with Merchandising to ensure that failure is identified early and managed appropriately.
- Work in collaboration with Sourcing Offices globally to develop appropriate supply routes.
- Provide leadership and direction to the buying team as well as Sourcing Office.
- Identify and develop talent within the team, benchmarking across peer group and promoting movement of people within the business.
Your skills and experience will include:
- Working to at least Senior Buyer level in a fast‑paced trading fashion retailer.
- Extensive own buy experience required in womenswear knitwear.
- Style focussed with a passion for fashion is a requirement.
- Technical Knowledge and proven track record of developing and trading highly commercial ranges that exceed sales / profit targets.
- In‑depth knowledge of cost price negotiations and global sourcing.
- Understanding and delivery of the concepts of brand strategy.
- Good understanding of global retail market place with the ability to identify relevant product trends.
- Strong knowledge of materials used and understanding of material supply base.
- Highly organised approach and commitment to closing and completing tasks. Managing ambiguity effectively – providing clear guidance and planning to teams at all times.
- Ability to lead, coach and manage people to support development and drive success.
- Proactively agree to take on Buying Lead/ Head of Buying responsibilities where required.
- A digital and global mind‑set that supports the growth of international and online business.
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Senior Buyer Womenswear Knitwear employer: Marks & Spencer Plc
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will benefit from tailored training, competitive perks, and a supportive environment that prioritises well-being and work-life balance. Join us in our mission to innovate and lead the retail industry while enjoying a rewarding career in a fast-paced, fashion-forward setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer Womenswear Knitwear
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Marks & Spencer Plc, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Marks & Spencer Plc!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer Womenswear Knitwear
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Marks & Spencer Plc, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Marks & Spencer Plc and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Marks & Spencer Plc that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
